The Diary of Darcy J. Rhone (2 page)

February 21

Best. Date. Ever. Best. Kisser. Ever. I’m totally in love!!!!!! We even skipped the movie,
Good Morning, Vietnam
, because who wants to dwell on war when you can focus on LOVE! My lips are chapped and my chin is red from so much kissing, but I don’t care. So worth it. Darcy Medina has a nice ring, doesn’t it?

March 12

It’s been a while since I’ve written because I’ve been soo busy with Carlos. We haven’t done it yet, but we’ve gone to third base plus some. I told Rachel that I think I’m ready to lose my virginity and she said, “You’ve only been going out for a few weeks.” I told her, “When you know, you know.” She started lecturing me about how you only get one first time until I started singing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” in my best rasta accent. She told me to just be careful, her two favorite words in the world.
Be careful
when I’m diving off the dock at Centennial Beach.
Be careful
when I’m looking through her dad’s cassette collection.
Be careful
when I go to parties and drink.
Be careful
when I’m on top of the pyramid in cheerleading. For a second I was annoyed. But then I reminded myself that it’s good to have a friend who tells you to be careful. Because there is a “care” in there. I kinda wonder why she wants me to be careful though. Careful not to get some disease or careful not to get my heart broken? Because
duh
—I’m going to use a condom—and duh, I will NEVER get my heart broken. Broken hearts are for losers.

April 10

We finally did it!!!! Carlos took my V-card! And I got his! We planned the whole thing, down to the last detail, like the fact that we packed two apples to eat right afterwards. (Get it? The forbidden fruit?? My idea!) We were at the Excel Inn (the only hotel we could find that didn’t hassle us about being underage), room 44 because 4 is my lucky number. It wasn’t exactly glam surroundings but the fifty votive candles I brought helped. And Carlos scattered rose petals all over the bed (also my idea but he paid for them). And of course we played our mix tape of romantic songs, including INXS’s “Need You Tonight” and U2’s “With or Without You”—and the one we officially lost our virginity to: David Lee Roth’s “Just Like Paradise.” And it most certainly WAS paradise even though it hurt like hell (I have a low pain threshold) and we had to start and stop about five times to get the job done. I made Carlos take a before and after picture of me, but I don’t look or feel all that different—other than the fact that I’m still a little bit sore. I called Rachel from the hotel phone immediately afterwards. I told her I wanted her to be the first to know. She told me congratulations, but I kind of got the feeling that she was a little jealous. Her voice sounded sad, like it does after she gets a B on a test or has a fight with her mom. I told her she should do it with Ethan, since she’s been in love with him since the fifth grade, but she insisted that they are just friends like she always does. Then I put Carlos on the phone. That one didn’t go over so well with either of them since they are both kind of shy, but I’m determined for them to be super close. After all, she’s going to be the maid of honor in our wedding. I wonder if we’ll get married in the U.S. or Spain?? Maybe we’ll do both. How fun to get to plan TWO weddings!

April 28

Carlos and I ditched school today and went to my house to knock boots. My mom was supposed to be up at the outlets, but she got a migraine and came home early and we were so totally busted. Thank God I had locked my door—but when it took us five minutes to find our clothes and come out, it was pretty obvious what we were doing. So I’m grounded for two weeks—one for having a boy in my room and one for blowing off school. I was so pissed until I got the best plan. I dictated a note to Carlos (who wrote it in his handwriting) that said:
Darcy, I know we shouldn’t have left school. But I knew you weren’t feeling well and I wanted to take care of you. I do wish that your parents trusted you more. Did you tell them we have only kissed? Maybe you should. Then again, maybe it’s best to just take this punishment. We could both use the extra time to study since grades are so important to us. Your friend, Carlos
. Then I left the note on my geography book in the kitchen—carefully placed on the map of Africa—knowing my mom would read it. Sure enough, she did! Which I knew because it was moved to Australia. And of course my plan so totally worked. She goes, “Darcy, I think maybe your punishment was a little too harsh. I’m going to change it to a week.” I gave her a big hug and told her she was the best. If I keep up the compliments and tell her she’s looking really skinny, I bet she’ll even lower it to four or five days. Rachel says that my parents are like the most lenient parole board in the world. They never stick to anything. It’s a wonder they’re still married.

May 12

I never thought it could happen but Carlos is starting to get on my nerves. He is so needy and insecure. Yesterday, we were at the mall and some guy whistled at me on the escalators and he just couldn’t let it go. He said it wasn’t so much about the guy whistling but about me talking to him afterwards, but sheesh, I didn’t want to be rude. Isn’t it common courtesy to thank someone when they compliment you? Like Emily Post 101. And then it turned out we knew all these people in common so I couldn’t just cut him off, right? Then, about twenty minutes later, we were in the dressing room in the Gap trying on clothes, and I stepped out to use the three-way mirror without buttoning my shirt back up. He was like, “Darcy, your bra is showing.” And I was like, “Aren’t there topless beaches all over Europe? Chill out.” I still love him, but I think it’s sort of a good thing that he’s going back to Spain this summer. That way I can avoid actually breaking up with him. I hate hurting people’s feelings.

May 20

Omigod—I got this letter today in my locker!

It’s either super creepy or really romantic (depending on who wrote it). The part about being from different worlds worries me a little, because my world is the only world!! Kidding (but not really). Oh, and I made the mistake of showing Carlos, who flipped OUT. He said it was MY fault for being so flirtatious! Like it’s a crime to be friendly. I told him he better stop buggin’ or we weren’t going to make it. I am REALLY getting sick of his jealous ass. (I mean, I like when a guy is a little jealous, but not when he gets all psycho.) Anyway, I’m going to try to figure out who sent the letter. Maybe it’s from a really cute junior or senior. If so, I will let him take me to prom. As friends. Carlos would have to get over it. That’s the worst part about dating him. I always said I’d never go out with a freshman or sophomore, at least not during prom time. And here I am. Now the best I can do is three out of four proms.

June 10

Ugh. I’m so over Carlos. How could I have thought that he was “the one”? I need dark, handsome, AND tall. Not just two of the three. I told Rachel that and she said I should try a little harder to be a little less shallow. It really hurt my feelings. I was like how can you say that about your best friend? She goes, “Because what you just said is sort of the definition of shallow,” in her holier-than-thou tone. I was like, “No it’s not. It’s about wanting to be happy. Is it noble to not be attracted to your husband?” She rolled her eyes and said, “Lemme guess. I bet you want him to be rich too?” Like that’s some kind of a crime. So I quoted my mom and told her it’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich guy as a poor guy. I love Rachel but she really has a lot to learn.

September 1

We’re juniors! Upperclassmen at last! Life is good. I don’t even mind being back in school because I’m getting my driver’s license in a month, and Carlos is gone. Good riddance. Rachel was right (as usual) because I really do regret sleeping with him and wish I had saved myself for Blaine, the new kid in school who just moved here from Columbus. He supposedly has some girlfriend named Cassandra back home, but I’m pretty sure I can bust that up. Give me a month, tops.